Charles was born December 7, 1931 in Chillicothe, Missouri, to James and Lola (Cooper) Rodgers. Charles’ family moved to the Hell’s Kitchen area and he attended Turner Rural School, and then graduated from Milan High School. After graduating, he joined the United States Air Force in 1950, serving until 1954. Charles then moved to Kansas City, working at General Motors in Kansas City, KS, building airplanes. He then moved to Tulsa and worked for Douglas Aircraft, before returning to Kansas City in 1957, where he worked for Western Electric and lived various places. He retired from Western Electric in 1983 and moved back to Milan.

Charles enjoyed many years traveling around to Blue Grass festivals with his old buddies. He also was a licensed pilot and had owned two different planes; he loved flying around the country. Charles was a well known authority in knowing and finding out other people’s genealogy. He was a member of the American Legion Post 228 and Telephone Pioneers.

Survivors include: One sister, Juanita Helms of Milan; one brother, James Rodgers and wife Joanne of Milan; three nephews, James Helms, Jack Helms and wife Kathy, and Jerry Helms; a niece, Donna Yardley and husband Ed; and several great nieces, nephews, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by: his parents; a great nephew, Ed Yardley; and a brother-in-law, Don Helms.

Funeral services for Charles will be held 1:30 PM, Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Burial will follow at the Bairdstown Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled for 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Wednesday evening, at the funeral home.